Cape Town MP Dereleen James said she will personally intervene in a Mitchells Plain drug den tonight, broadcasting the operation live on Facebook and TikTok, Cape {town} Etc reports.
In a video shared on her social channels, James said she was fed up with drugs harming communities and neglecting children. ‘We are gatvol of drugs destroying our communities, and it is time to take action,’ she said.
James added that she will go to the area at around 7pm, insisting that action must be taken when official channels fail. ‘If SAPS cannot do it, we can do it. That is where I will find myself tonight, doing what I absolutely love, being on the ground,’ she said.
The MP said she wanted residents to see someone from the community respond directly to crime. ‘See you tonight at 7pm’ she said.
Her announcement of the Mitchells Plain raid has already drawn attention online, with thousands of views and hundreds of reactions. Local residents expressed mixed feelings, some applauding her willingness to act and others urging caution.
Parliament has raised concerns over rising vigilantism in Cape Town, warning that residents taking the law into their own hands could worsen violence.
Yesterday, four people were reportedly shot in Mitchells Plain, underscoring the ongoing violence that has residents demanding urgent action.
The SANDF was deployed to the area last week, but community leaders and residents criticised the operation, saying it had limited impact on curbing crime and drug activity so far.
Experts noted that the true effectiveness of the deployment could only be measured after 14 to 21 days, as short-term presence may not immediately reduce shootings or show long-term results.
See footage from the livestream below:
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Picture: Screenshot from video
